Method and system for controlling pressurization of a patient cavity using cavity distension measured by a pressure sensor of a trocar

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a method includes positioning a trocar having a pressure sensor in or on the trocar into a patient cavity such that distension of the patient cavity causes an altitude of the pressure sensor to increase. The method also includes distending the patient cavity by supplying an insufflation gas to the patient cavity, thereby increasing an altitude of the pressure sensor from a first altitude to a second altitude. The method also includes determining a change in pressure at the pressure sensor resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude and controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 positioning a trocar having a pressure sensor in or on the trocar into a patient cavity such that distension of the patient cavity causes an altitude of the pressure sensor to increase; 
 distending the patient cavity by supplying an insufflation gas to the patient cavity, thereby increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from a first altitude to a second altitude; 
 determining a change in atmospheric pressure at the pressure sensor resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude by measuring, by the pressure sensor, atmospheric pressure at the first altitude and at the second altitude; 
 controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in atmospheric pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first altitude is an altitude of the pressure sensor after positioning the trocar into the patient cavity and prior to the supplying of insufflation gas to the patient cavity. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first altitude is an altitude of pressure sensor after positioning the trocar into the patient cavity and after supplying insufflation gas into the patient cavity. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in atmospheric pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude comprises determining that a pressure or amount of insufflation gas supplied to the patent cavity may be reduced. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in atmospheric pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude comprises determining that the patient cavity is sufficiently distended such that a pressure or amount of the insufflation gas supplied to the patient cavity may be reduced. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein determining that the patient cavity is sufficiently distended such that the pressure or amount of the insufflation gas supplied to the patient cavity may be reduced comprises determining a change in altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned on the exterior of the trocar. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the insufflation gas is supplied to the patient cavity through the trocar. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor located in or on the trocar is further located external to the patient cavity. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in atmospheric pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude further comprises comparing a change in the first altitude and the second altitude with at least one of any pressure within the patient cavity and any changes in pressure within the patient cavity. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in atmospheric pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude further comprises:
 determining a change in altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude from the determined change in pressure; 
 comparing the determined change in altitude with at least one of any pressure within the patient cavity and any change in pressure within the patient cavity; and 
 controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the comparison. 
 
     
     
       12. A method comprising:
 positioning a trocar having a pressure sensor in or on the trocar into a patient cavity such that distension of the patient cavity causes an altitude of the pressure sensor to increase; 
 distending the patient cavity by supplying an insufflation gas to the patient cavity, thereby increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from a first altitude to a second altitude; 
 determining a change in pressure at the pressure sensor resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude; 
 controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude; and 
 wherein controlling the supply of insufflation gas to the patient cavity in response to the determined change in pressure resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude further comprises determining a change in altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude. 
 
     
     
       13. A method comprising:
 positioning a trocar having a pressure sensor in or on the trocar into a patient cavity such that distension of the patient cavity causes an altitude of the pressure sensor to increase; 
 distending the patient cavity by supplying an insufflation gas to the patient cavity, thereby increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from a first altitude to a second altitude; and 
 determining a change in atmospheric pressure at the pressure sensor resulting from increasing the altitude of the pressure sensor from the first altitude to the second altitude by measuring, by the pressure sensor, atmospheric pressure at the first altitude and at the second altitude. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising, in response to determining the change in pressure, determining the increase in altitude from the first altitude to the second altitude. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising, in response to determining the change in pressure, determining that the patient cavity is sufficiently distended for surgery. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising displaying a pressure setting at which the insufflation gas should be supplied to the patient cavity.